Help!! Console nOOb needs advice on PS3

[nycxandy]

Originally posted by: EvilComputer92

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: EvilComputer92
I would say get the 360 Arcade, which comes preloaded with 5 arcade games on it's 256mb memory stick. No hard drive though, which shouldn't be a problem if your not going to take the system online. It's meant to be kind of a competitor to the Wii. I would say that's the best thing to buy right now at $280. The normal 360 is $350 and a PS3 is $400.

Actually, the five arcade games come on a disc and the memory stick is empty. The 360 Holiday Bundle that comes with Forza 2 and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance is a better value IMHO. Especially since the Arcade version doesn't come with a HDD and the 360 HDDs are overpriced.

I forgot about Forza and Marvel: UA, even though Marvel: UA is rated Teen. In that case it's really up to you to decide if the extra $80 is worth a hard drive and two games. Though I must admit I though Marvel: UA was pretty mediocre. Forza 2 is excellent.

You also get HD component cables instead of composite, and a headset.

 

[CKDragon]

Originally posted by: EvilComputer92

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: EvilComputer92
I would say get the 360 Arcade, which comes preloaded with 5 arcade games on it's 256mb memory stick. No hard drive though, which shouldn't be a problem if your not going to take the system online. It's meant to be kind of a competitor to the Wii. I would say that's the best thing to buy right now at $280. The normal 360 is $350 and a PS3 is $400.

Actually, the five arcade games come on a disc and the memory stick is empty. The 360 Holiday Bundle that comes with Forza 2 and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance is a better value IMHO. Especially since the Arcade version doesn't come with a HDD and the 360 HDDs are overpriced.

I forgot about Forza and Marvel: UA, even though Marvel: UA is rated Teen. In that case it's really up to you to decide if the extra $80 is worth a hard drive and two games. Though I must admit I though Marvel: UA was pretty mediocre. Forza 2 is excellent.

I'm a superhero junkie, so I liked Marvel: Ultimate Alliance. If an 11 year old likes superheroes then I think he'd like it.

It's been said before, but Forza 2 is kind of an odd choice as a pack-in game. It's certainly excellent, I like it, but it's kind of aimed at simulation enthusiasts. Much moreso than the Burnout, PGR, & Need for Speed series.

 

[CKDragon]

More on the possible new parental timer feature.

I like the idea of this now, but 15 years ago I would have been furious. 😛

 

[Ruptga]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Does he have a PS2?

It has something like (wild guess) 10 times as many age appropriate games as the PS3, 360 and wii combined, and huge piles of games for it are $15-20 new instead of $50-60.

You could offer him the choice of a 360 + 1 game, or a PS2 and 14 games.

The 40 GB PS3 does not play PS2 games, only PS1. The 80GB PS3 plays 80%+ of PS2 games, but it's $500 instead of $400.

My thoughts exactly, the PS2 has a huge library of cheap games, either get one of those or one of the PS3 versions that has PS2 backwards compatibility. Don't worry about HDD space for the PS3 either, their warranty allows you to switch out their drive for whatever you want, the only minor hitch is they use 2.5" drives, laptop drives.

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: CKDragon
Viva Pinata (360 only) > all other "kids games" on either the 360 or PS3.

In terms of 11 year old children, I would not let them game online unless I was able to completely lock them out of voice chatting and hearing other people talk.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: ADDAvenger

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Does he have a PS2?

It has something like (wild guess) 10 times as many age appropriate games as the PS3, 360 and wii combined, and huge piles of games for it are $15-20 new instead of $50-60.

You could offer him the choice of a 360 + 1 game, or a PS2 and 14 games.

The 40 GB PS3 does not play PS2 games, only PS1. The 80GB PS3 plays 80%+ of PS2 games, but it's $500 instead of $400.

My thoughts exactly, the PS2 has a huge library of cheap games, either get one of those or one of the PS3 versions that has PS2 backwards compatibility. Don't worry about HDD space for the PS3 either, their warranty allows you to switch out their drive for whatever you want, the only minor hitch is they use 2.5" drives, laptop drives.

You could use a 3.5" drive, but it won't fit inside.

 

[mlm]

If I wanted to spoil my kid rotten, I'd go with the 80GB PS3. The PS2 options are almost endless, especially with the game prices continuously dropping.

Almost all of the PSN games are kid-friendly and are generally highly regarded. The PSOne Classics that have been put up so far are also kid-friendly.

Originally posted by: nycxandy
You also get HD component cables instead of composite, and a headset.

He said it will be on a regular TV, so that's a moot point.

 

[Ruptga]

Originally posted by: mugs

You could use a 3.5" drive, but it won't fit inside.

I hadn't thought of that, a simple adapter would let you have a 1TB PS3 if you really wanted it. But then again who wants to set their nice, shiny, disemboweled PS3 out for everyone to see?

 

[nycxandy]

Originally posted by: mlm
If I wanted to spoil my kid rotten, I'd go with the 80GB PS3. The PS2 options are almost endless, especially with the game prices continuously dropping.

Almost all of the PSN games are kid-friendly and are generally highly regarded. The PSOne Classics that have been put up so far are also kid-friendly.

Originally posted by: nycxandy
You also get HD component cables instead of composite, and a headset.

He said it will be on a regular TV, so that's a moot point.

Might as well have them just in case he gets a HDTV later.

 

[warcrow]

Originally posted by: Fern
Excellent. Great stuff! Thanks :thumbsup:

Great info on teh number of games per console. Kinda suprised me, I was under the mistaken belief the Xbox was gonna be more targeted at an older crowd.

Thanks, Warcrow. I think I can mod/upgrade if I get the 40GB. Up till now I've been building all our PCs/gaming rigs. So, hopefuly the PC stuff will help carryover to console upgrades (I'm also guessing that there are sites to help, like with PCs)

For some reason, he really doesn't want a Wii. But the Xbox 360 looks like it should be in contention, what with all the age appropriate games. OTOH, somehow he has heard of Xboxes blowing up/exploding or some kinda of HW problems. I guess some kids at school have had a problem.

Thanks again,

Fern

If he's not interested in a Wii then go for a X360. Here are the links to the parental control info:

http://www.microsoft.com/prote...ily/xbox360family.mspx

http://www.us.playstation.com/...ual/frame_network.html
(I think this link is correct--but it's blocked at work so I cannot be for certain)

If you can, try to get that X360 at a Costco. They have a great 1 year return policy which is much speedier than MSs turnaround with repiars. Gamestop recently stopped offering their 1 year warranty because they lost a ton of money doing it. I dont want to freak you out here--just want to help you avoid possible frustration. The new X360 that are on store shelves now are manufactured with new parts that will help it run cooler and offer more reliability than the older 360s.

Good luck and have fun. 🙂

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: warcrow


If he's not interested in a Wii then go for a X360. Here are the links to the parental control info:

http://www.microsoft.com/prote...ily/xbox360family.mspx

http://www.us.playstation.com/...ual/frame_network.html
(I think this link is correct--but it's blocked at work so I cannot be for certain)

If you can, try to get that X360 at a Costco. They have a great 1 year return policy which is much speedier than MSs turnaround with repiars. Gamestop recently stopped offering their 1 year warranty because they lost a ton of money doing it. I dont want to freak you out here--just want to help you avoid possible frustration. The new X360 that are on store shelves now are manufactured with new parts that will help it run cooler and offer more reliability than the older 360s.

Good luck and have fun. 🙂

Costco's actual return policy:

Merchandise: We guarantee your satisfaction on every product we sell with a full refund. Exceptions: Televisions, projectors, computers, cameras, camcorders, iPOD / MP3 players and cellular phones must be returned within 90 days of purchase for a refund.

There is no time limit on video game consoles.